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Fact Sheet
March 2012
EPA Lead Sampling Activities, Pea Ridge, Washington County, Missouri Superfund Site
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has been sampling for lead in drinking water and soil at properties in the Pea Ridge, Washington County, Missouri area. EPA continues its outreach to residents who would like to have their property sampled for lead contamination in drinking water and soil. To date, EPA has sampled approximately 500 residential properties, and has informed the property owners of the results.
COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY ACT (CERCLA)
EPA has been conducting sampling activities in the Pea Ridge Area under the Superfund Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. This authority is carried out through the federal government's Superfund Program to clean up the nation's uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. We're committed to ensuring that remaining hazardous waste sites are cleaned up to protect the environment and the health of all Americans.
The Pea Ridge Area sampling is being provided to property owners free of charge and will allow EPA representatives to determine if property owners’ drinking water wells or soils contain lead contamination and need to be cleaned up or treated to remove these contaminants.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT LEAD?
Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in paint and other products found in and around our homes. Lead can also be emitted into the air from industrial sources and leaded aviation gasoline. Lead can enter drinking water from plumbing materials.
Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children six years old and under are most at risk.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Mining activities began in southeast Missouri in the early 1700s. By 1725, Old Mines and Mine Renault opened in Washington County. Lead mining in southeast Missouri has continued until the present day. The Pea Ridge Area Site consists of high concentrations of lead contamination from historical mining activities in the area and mining waste residues brought to the Site and used as fill materials at residential properties.
PEA RIDGE AREA SITE
The Pea Ridge Area Site is located in the northwest corner of the Washington County Lead District. The Site is bound generally by State Highway 8 south and Highway A north. The western boundary is the Washington County Line and the eastern boundary is Highway T.
The Site primarily includes residential areas within and around the towns of Pea Ridge, Indian Creek, Ebo, Hulsey, Anthonies Mill, Aptus, and smaller communities located to the northwest of Potosi, Missouri. Residential properties are widely spread out throughout the Site area.
SAMPLING PROCESS
Cleanup and remediation of residential properties within Washington County have been conducted at no cost to the property owner for several years under the current EPA Environmental Response Program. Upon the completion of the EPA 2012 sampling and assessment activities, there are no additional sampling events planned for this area under the EPA program.
In order to determine if lead is in drinking water and soil, it is important that property owners fill out the enclosed access agreement and return it to EPA at your earliest convenience.
If you would like to have your property sampled for lead in drinking water and soil, please sign the enclosed Access Agreement and return it to EPA in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIf you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
Belinda YoungCommunity Involvement Coordinator
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7463 or
Toll-free: 800-223-0425
young.belinda@epa.gov